Key case



March 3, 1942. c, BILLS 2,274,820

KEY CASE Filed July 9, 1940 Patented Mar. 3, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

This invention relates to key cases and the object" of the invention is to provide a key case formed of plastic material and arranged to carry a key in each end, the case being so arranged that pressure applied to one side of the case will release the key at one end of the case while pressure applied to the other side of the case will release the key in the opposite end of the case.

Another object of the invention is, to provide a key case formed of two duplicate pieces of plastic material held together by U-shaped springs and arranged so that pressure applied to either edge of the key case will open the opposite edge.

A further object of the invention is to provide a key case formed of two elongated plastic members which are held together by two substantially U-shaped wire springs.

Another object of the invention is to provide a key case of the character described in which a key is mounted to turn on a pivot at each end of the key case and arranged so that by pinching the edges of the key case together on one side, the key will turn out of the other side of the case by gravity into position for use.

- These objects and the several novel features of the invention are hereinafter more fully described and claimed and the preferred form of construction by which these objects are attained is shown in the accompanying drawing in which- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a key case showing the operation of releasing one oh, the keys.

Fig. 2 is an X ray view of the key case showing the keys in dotted lines assembled therein.-

Fig. 3 is a view showing one end of the key case sprung open to allow insertion of the key.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the key inserted to position. I

Fig. 5 is an end view of the key case showing the key in dotted lines.

Fig. 6 is an end view illustrating the opening of the lower side of the key case by pinching the upper edges thereof together.

Fig. 7 illustrates the opening of the upper edges of the key case by pressure applied to the lower edges thereof to allow the key to drop back to position within the case.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of the halves of the key case.

Fig. 9 is an elevation of one of the two U- shaped springs.

The key case is formed of two substantially oval members which are molded of plastic material. These members are shown more particularly in Figs. 1, 2 and 8. Each member as shown in Fig. 8 is provided with relief cut-outs to reduce the quantity of material while in Fig. 2 these reliefs are not shown. Each plastic member is provided with a transverse fulcrumrib l shown in Figs. 2 and 8 and this rib is provided with a recess 2 at one end and with a stud 3 at the opposite end. The case is also provided with a stud 4 at one end and a shallow recess 5 at the opposite end, the stud 4 being arranged to fit through the hole in a key as will be understood from Figs. 3 and 4.

Extending from one end of the fulcrum rib I along one edge of each plastic member is a flange portion 6 which extends to the same height as the fulcrum rib I as will be understood more particularly from Figs. 4, and 8.

The two halves of the case are assembled so that the stud 4 of one case half fits in the recess 5 of the other case half and at the same time the stud 3 of one fulcrum rib fits in the recess 2 of the other fulcrum rib. This brings the two ribs l into contact in super-imposed relation. In order to hold the two halves of the key case together in super-imposed relation each casing half is provided with a pair of spaced ribs 1 formed in the plastic and providing a channel therebetween into which a U-shaped wire spring 8 may be positioned. Each wire spring is provided with inturned ends 9 fitting in apertures 10 in the respective plastic member and as shown in Fig. 8 each plastic member is provided with a portion H in the outer side of which the channel is formed for the wire spring. The rounded portion l2 of each wire spring-is formed on a radius to fit over the edges of the two plastic halves of the key case.

A key is inserted in each end of the device by inserting the end of the key between the halves and wedging the same apart against the tension of the springs 8 until the key may be pushed in as shown in Fig. 3 allowing the pivot lug 4 to snap through the hole or eye in the key as shown in Fig. 4. With a key in each end of the case as shown in Fig. 2 either key may be turned until it engages the flange fortion 6 at the edge of the case. At this time, by pressing together at the point [4 shown in Fig. 1, the upper edges of the key case will be moved apart on the fulcrum rib I allowing the key to drop into position behind the flange 6 as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2.

- In this connection it is to be noted that the flange 6 as shown in Fig. 3 extends slightly past the center of the key case leaving a space I5, shown in Fig. 4, which always remains open and it is by enlarging this space l5 by spreading the edges apart that the key may be swung out or back into the case.

In normal operation, the case is removed from the pocket and the upper edges are pinched together as shown by the fingers in Fig. 1, This pinches the upper edges together on the fulcrum ribs I to open up the lower edges and allow the key to swing out as shown in Fig. 1, at which time, the key is ready for use. When it is desired to return the key to the key case, the case is turned over and pinched together at the bottom which will open the upper edges and allow the key to drop back into the case as previously described and as will be understood from dotted lines in Fig. 2. To release the key in the opposite end of the case the casing halves are pressed together at the point I4 and the case is turned over so that the key will turn out by gravity. The flange 6 normally prevents the keys from dropping out but each flange 6 is also provided with a beveled edge I6 so as not to catch the key when the halves are spread apart to allow it to swing out. By this arrangement, the key at either end of the case is quickly accessible for use and at the same time when the keys are enclosed within the case a perfectly smooth contour is provided which will not wear the pocket. The completed key case thus comprises two portions held together by two duplicate wire springs 8 and thus the key cases may be quickly assembled as the casing halves are removed from the mould simply by placing the halves together and inserting the springs 8 in position. The

two springs 8 being on opposite sides of the key case will firmly hold the two halves of the key case together and, at the same time, will yield sufliciently to allow the edges to be spread apart in releasing the key.

Thus, one edge is spread apart to release one key and the other edge may be spread apart to release the other key and thefulcrum rib I acts as the fulcrum in spreading the edges on either It is to be noted that the key pivot stud 4 is Provided with a rounded end while the companion shallow recess 5 is also rounded to receive this end. This stud and recess maintains the ends of the casing halves properly spaced apart and also acts, in combination with the fulcrum rib, as a pivot. When the open edges of the plastic casing halves are pinched together, the'stud 4 in combination with the fulcrum rib I acts as a pivot and in fact the plastic casing halves are somewhat flexible so that when the edges on one side of the casing halves are pinched together the opposite edges are spread apart to allow the key to swing out through the spread edges.

In order that the user may release the desired key in the dark one of the case halves maybe provided with a raised point I! at the edge, as shown in Fig. 1, so that the user may feel with his fingers which edge of the case he is holding and thus determine which key will be released upon application of pressure to the edges of the case.

From the foregoing description, it becomes evident that the device is very simple and eflicient in operation, is formed of parts which may be easily moulded, is smooth and oval in form so as not to catch in the pocket and provides a 75 device which accomplishes the objects described.

Having thus fully described my invention, its utility and mode of operation, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A key case comprising a pair of elongated members each having a transverse raised fulcrum rib, said members being assembled with the ribs in engagement, a spring clip on each side of the assembled members arranged to yieldably hold the same together, means for pivotally supporting a key in each end of the key case between said members. and the key being tumable into .or out of the key case, the edges of the members being arranged to be manually pressed together on one side to spread the opposite edges apart on the fulcrum rib, said spreading movement of the edges being yieldably resisted by the spring clips, a flange at the edge of each elongated member, saidflangesn'ormally preventing outward movement of the keys on their pivots and the arrangement being such that the spreading of the edges apart on one side or the other will allow the respective key to turn 7 outwardly on its pivot. v

2. A key case comprisinga pair of elongated members each having a transverse raised fulcrum rib, saidrnembers being-assembled with the ribs in engagement, a spring clipon each side edge of theassembled members arranged to hold the same together, means pivotally supporting a key in each end'of the key'casebetween said members and thekey being-turnable into or out of the key case, the edgesflof the members being arranged to be pressed together on one side to spread theopposite edgesfapart on the fulcrum, said spreadingmovement of the edges being resisted; by the spring clips, the arrangement being such that the spreadingof they a edges apart on one side orthe other will allow the respective key to swing out by gravity on its pivot.

3. A key case comprising a pair of ovalmembers each having a'transverse-fulcrum 'rib, the

oval members being assembled with the fulcrum ribs in contact, a spring clip at each side edge of the case and fitting over the adjacent side edges of the oval members, the arrangement being such that by pressing the edges togetherpn one side of the assembled members the edges on the. opposite side tend to spread apart, the spring clips being arranged to resist spreading move-- ment of the edges. I

4. A key case comprising a pair of plastic members each having a diagonal rib, the members being assembled together with the diagonal rib portions in contact, a spring on each side of the assembled members resisting tilting motion of the halves on the ribs and a stud at each end of the assembled key case arranged to receive a key thereon, the keys being turnable on the studs and the plastic members being each provided with a flange portion normally retaining the keys in the case except when tilted on the ribs against the tension of the respective spring.

5. A key case comprising a pair of members each forming one-half of the key case, a rib formed on each half, the halves being assembled with the rib portions in contact whereby pinching each end of the case and on the respective opposite sides thereof to hold the respective ends of the two halves together and providing an arrangement whereby pressing the edges together at the end on either side of the assembled members releases the key to turn by gravity outwardly of the case when the case is held in position forv gravity to act thereon.

6. In a key case, a pair of members each provided with a diagonal rib, the members being assembled with the ribs in contact, means for pivotally supporting a key between said members at each end, means normally preventing the keys from turning outwardly on their pivots, and

thereof, a key stud at one end of each case member and respectively occupying opposite ends of the assembled members, the arrangement being such that, by turning a key in a plane at a right angle to the axis of the respective stud, the members are spread apart against the tension of the adjacent spring to permit removal of the key from the stud.

8. A key case comprising a pair of members each forming a half of the case, a spring clip at each side of the case near one end and respectively fitting over the adjacent side edges thereof, a key stud at one end of each case member and arranged at opposite ends of the assembled members, the end of each member opposite the stud of the other having a recess to receive the end thereof, the Whole providing an arrangement whereby, turning of a key in a plane at a right angle to the axis of the respective stud, the members are spread apart against the tension of the spring at the respective end of the case to permit removal of the key from the stud.

CLARENCE HATFIELD BILLS. v 

